healthy and beautiful

To this day I dislike the "skinny" word and believe me, I have had my share of teasing until I discovered how to build curves with resistance training.  I have my Dad's genetics and I am thankful, but it has been a challenge to put on muscle.  I am also constantly hungry and burn up energy like crazy so if I do not eat lots of carbs, I would not feel good and in fact, light headed.  My metabolism seems to work faster than I can fuel it and it can be frustrating.  Some say they can just look at food and gain 5lbs whereas if I look at food, my metabolism says let's burn it up.  I will not workout if I feel hungry and prefer to down a healthy meal before hitting the weights. I just so happen to be one of those people on the other side of the spectrum that works hard to put weight on and fattening up with crap to be "skinny fat" is not what I am looking for. My goal is to pack on lean muscle mass and that is done eating quality healthy carbs, lean proteins, and...

Celebrating 48!!!! MAN have I noticed a few things over this past year and as I near 50…front and center …I NEED MY RECOVERY TIME…and I better listen to what my body is telling me or … low energy, burn out, unmotivated…and all the things that fatigue can bring me…YUCK.   YES, I have taken care of myself and try to be the BEST me every day…does that mean over-the-top grueling workouts…OH NO…no more for this girl.   I do not need to be that intense athlete of my teens, 20-30s anymore…and I really do not want to.   It is has developed muscle for me which is YAHOO good, but also some wear and tear…not so good. I create programs that are intense but do not push beyond my limits…nope…not for this fitness girl.   I mean…Why? ...What is the purpose…the point…really…do I need to lift enormous amounts of weight to put extreme pressure on my spine, joints, tissues, and grunt until I pop a hemorrhoid …YIKES… do I need to prove something to someone…NO, NO and NO.   It is no...

Evidence points to the many health benefits of an active sex life. Sex Made Easy, an article published in Men's Health Magazine, gives 10 healthy reasons to hop into bed -- a reminder that making love is good for both body and soul. 1.Exercise . "Sexual activity is a form of physical exercise," according to Dr. Michael Cirigliano of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Making love three times a week burns around 7,500 calories in a year -- the equivalent of jogging 75 miles. 2.Heavy Breathing. A night of love can raise the amount of oxygen in cells, helping to keep organs and tissues functioning at their peak. 3. Strong Bones and Muscles. "Any kind of physical exercise is going to increase testosterone," states Dr. Karen Donahey, director of the Sex and Marital Therapy Program at Chicago's Northwestern University Medical Center. Testosterone is believed to help keep men's bones and muscles strong. 4. Lowered Cholesterol. Making love re...

I've often found that the most comfortable wear during ones period, is a loose fitting outer covering, and a figure hugging - though not tight inner wear. Sounds like gibberish? Here's what I mean. A while ago Mom sent over some undergarments she'd bought for me. Now I wasn't gonna complain, but I looked at the second half and rolled my eyes when I thought of how it would reach till my belly button when I wore it. Those are now my favorites when my monthly blues comes around. I found that holding my tummy in with these cotton wears, actually make the cramps less dramatic, and I feel less bloated. Of course, I also make it a point to drink/ eat extra milk products. I sleep extra, and on the first day, I more often than not, take a MeftalSpas tablet (which by the way, I am NOT promoting). I heard it is a banned drug in the first-world countries due to the damage it does to your liver. All I know is that without them, I wouldn't be able to come to work.

Not many people know this, but rose water is an excellent natural make-up remover for both men and women. Not only does rose water act as a perfect tonic for your skin, it is also a natural remedy for making your skin look clear, fresh and alive. Using rose water on your skin at least once a day, leaves your skin looking healthy and glowing. All you need is a cotton ball and a few dabs of rose water. Gently dab - not rub - it onto your skin and let it work its magic. The best way to use it is right before bed. That way it has all night to sink into your skin and leave it looking fresh and pure again. Rose water is also a great skin 'healer' from the everyday wear and tear of dust, pollution, heat, etc.

Today I was searching Facebook, My Space and other such sites for an idea of what people could be looking for in modern health and beauty. I came across a few Facebook profiles of friends. I am now convinced I've found something that everyone is searching for, but few have found - fashion and artistically draping your body. There is this cute little family band that go by the name King Family. Going through their pictures I've come to the conclusion that either they really know their bodies and how to adorn them, or they've got a really good hair stylist, wardrobe counselor, make-up artist, etc. Their wardrobe is superb and a definite must-find-out-about. I will likely write them this week and find out what their secret is. In the meantime, you can anticipate some really good Fashion Fundas that are sure to be coming up if they agree to spill the beans about it! Wish me luck in getting them to divulge their secrets ;)

No, drinking more milk, scientific research has found that taking a more calcium-rich diet does NOT help to prevent the much dreaded old-age symptom of osteoporosis, which is more common among the women species. It is just an old myth. To prepare against the eventualities of this deterioration disease, one must instead build up muscle mass which instead helps strengthen the bone. Calcium rich diets will only help you to build bone mass up until you are fully grown. After this, your body no longer needs to have excess milk (especially cow's milk) pumped into it. It is good as a protein yes, but not as a way of building bone mass. Only resistance training can do that for you. If you are trying to combat osteoporosis now, try seeking consultation from your doctor, or for going for some light aerobics and gradually working your way up to exercising with weights. Take dancing classes if you have to, but do something rigorous that will get your heart pumping and those muscles building.

There's a reason people who are rounder than others should not wear extremely baggy clothes. The reason? It makes them look even heavier. Fashion Funda: If you are a heavy-set person, instead of buying the biggest clothes you can just so they fit, try getting your own clothes stylishly tailored just for you. If nothing else, at least you will have the liberty of coming up with your own styles and fashion. You don't need to be a size zero to look or feel sexy! Just remember that the more stylish you make yourself look, the more confident you will feel. Good luck with that clothes choosing and shopping!

For all you women out there who have yet to find a way around your monthly set of menstrual cramps, these tips should help you find pain relief. Daily aerobics - Exercising daily helps to strengthen your body's muscles and keeps them flexible. Asides from strengthening your body, it helps to reduce the pain of the cramps. Back stretches - This helps guard against the pain of the back muscles contracting during menses. Stomach crunches - Doing tummy exercises helps to toughen you up for those painful cramps you experience when your uterus muscles contract. Eat a high protein/ calcium diet. Avoid taking iron supplements during your period. Try eating chocolate to help ease the cramps. This is no old wives tale. It actually works :). Sleep extra. Drink plenty of water and liquids to help restock your body with fluids. Avoid doing exercise during the first one or two days of your bleeding. The above mentioned exercises should be done throughout the month and on a regular basis, althoug...